Apparatus for extracting and refining asphaltic material.



Patented Aug. 7, |900.` Y A. F. L. BELL. APPARATUS FDH EXTFIACTING AND*REFINING ASPHALTIG MATERIAL.

(Application ma July fus,` 1891.)

4 Sheats--Sheet l.

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nu. s55,43o.` Patented Aug. 7, |900.

A A. F. L. BELL. L APPARATUS FOR EXTRAGTING AND BEFINING ASPHALTICMATERIAL.

(Application meg! .my 1o, 1597.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

I ventor Witnesses TN: Norms Ferias co.. PHoToLlTHo.. wuumorou, u. c.

No. 655,430. Patented Aug. 7, |900. A. F. L. BELL.

APPARATUS FOB EXTRACTING AND BEFINING ASPHALTIC MATERIAL.

(Application led July 16, 1897.)

4 Sheds-Sheet 3 Witnesses Inventor Attorney m: noms mins cn. Horam-nlm..wAsmNowN. o. c.

No. 655.430. Patented Aug. 7, |900. A. F. L. BELL.

APPARATUS FDR EXTHACTING AND REFINING ASPHALTIC MATERIAL. (Applicationfiled July 18, 1897.) (No Model.) 4 Sheetvs--$heei 4.

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NITEDY STATES PATENT OFFICE..

AR'II'IUR F. L. BELL, OF CARPENTERIA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEALCATRAZ COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR `EXTRACIING AND REFINING ASPHALTlC MATERIAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of- Letters Patent No. 655,430, dated August7, 1.900. Application filed July 16,4897. Serial No. 644,804. (Nomodel.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR F. L. BELL, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Car` penteria, county of SantaBarbara, and State refinement of asphaltic material from earthyy matteror other impurities associated with the ore in its natural state andcomprehends in part a method and apparatus for such eX- traction andreiinement, operating in succession and in an organized form upon thematerial from its crude state as produced from the earth or mine to thefinished product, such method and apparatus being directed to what isknown as the solvent process of treatment, whereby the asphalticmaterial is by affinity,A dilution, agitation, and heat incorporatedwith liquid solvents, such as distillates of petroleum, and reduced to asolution, from which solution the liquid solvent is evaporated and thencondensed or liqueiied and used over again, performing its officecontinuously by circulation.

That part of my invention included in my present application relates towhat is called the melting section or elements in a plant or system forthe extraction and refinement of asphaltum, of Which-the precedingsection is the crushing and disintegrating apparatus and the following'section is an apparatus for mixing the disintegrated and softenedmaterial with the liquid solvent above referred to.

My present improvements consist of a main revoluble cylinder externallyheated by an enveloping steam-jacket and by a drum or cylinder forming acore for the main vessel, an external casing to prevent radiations ofheat, means to introduce and expel the asphaltic material, to operatethe main cylinder, devices to seal the melting cylinder or chamberagainst the entrance or escape of vapor, and in various accessories of aconstructive and operative nature, that will be more fully described inconnection with the drawings herewith and forming a part of thisspecification.

The object of my invention is to secure in an extensive and completemanner the application of heat to the asphaltic material and' at thesame time agitate and disintegrate the same by mechanical means.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I is a vertical longitudinal sectionthrough the axis of the melting-cylinder set in a horizontal positionfor convenience of illustration. Fig. Il is a section through the maincylinder, with the core-cylinder and outer casing removed. Fig. III isan end View of the receiving end of the main inciting-cylinder. Fig. IVis a transverse section through the same on the line x Qc in Fig. I.Fig. V is asection, in part on the line c c in Fig. VI looking from theinterior and showing the manner of conveying the melted material to themixing apparatus. Fig. VI is a vertical section through a portion of themelting-cylinder at the dis-v charging endof the same, the View beingreverse to Fig. I. Fig. VII is a side view of a steam-jacketed sealingSiphon-pipe through which the melted material is discharged on its wayto the mixing machinery, forming a sealed joint against the escape ofthe vaporized solvent. Fig. VIII is a section on the line a ct in Fig.V, chamber of the dischargeway of the melting-cylinder.. Fig. IX is adetail of Fig. V, showing a section of the screw to expel the meltedmaterial. Fig. X is an edge view of Fig. IX. Fig. XI is an enlarged sideView of one of the bearing-rollers by means of which the mainmelting-cylinderis inserted or removed from the outer shell. Fig. XII isan edge view of a portable bearing-roller used in removing and replacingthe main melting-cylinder. Fig. XIII is a side view of Fig. XII. Fig.XIV is a section on the line ,e .e in Fig. I. Fig. XV is a section ontheline y y across the central heatingdrum in the melting-cylinder. Fig.XVI is a view in section of the melting-cylinder set in an inclinedposition, showing the method of draining water from the steam jacketaround the main cylinder and from the central heating-drum. Fig. XVII isa partial section longitudinally of the outer shell or steam-jacket ofthe main cylinder, showing the diagonal collecting-vanes to raise anddischarge the water. Fig. XVIII is a section on IOO the line e e in Fig.XVI. Fig. XIX is a section through the thrust-roller for the maincylinder and connected parts, and Fig. XX is a plan view of the housingand bearing for the thrust-roller.

Similar numerals of reference apply to like parts in the several figuresof the drawings.

The melting apparatus as a Whole consists of an outer shell or casing l,Fig. I, that forms a supporting member for the Whole, prevents theradiation of heat, and may also collect and save any vapor thatcontains-petroleum or asphaltic matter, here shown in a horizontalposition, but capable of being set at any angle as the nature of thematerial operated upon may require. If the material is in any degreefriable, the helical vanes will move the material forward without themain A cylinder being inclined; but if the material is gummy andadhesive-that is, containing a large amount of asphaltum--then itsforward movement has in part to be attained by gravity and an inclinedposition of the main cylinder.

Revolving within the Casin g lis a main cylinder 2, supported onbearing-rings 3 and driven by means of a circular rack 4. The cylinderor drum 2 is provided with a steamjacket 5, that keeps it at a hightemperature on the outside, and itis also heated from the interior bymeans of the central drum 6, Which is lled with steam from the pipe 7,connecting to a steam-boiler. Steam passes from the Ycentraldrum 6 tothe jacket 5 through the pipes 8, Figs. I and II, and condensed waterfrom the steam-jacket is returned to the central drum 6 by similar pipes9, discharging at the center of the drum, so as not to allow thecondensed water to ow back from thecylinder 6 to the outer jacket 5, asWill be more fully explained iu a future place. The central drum 6 isheld concentric with the main one 2 by means of the struts l0, that areset tangential to the central drum 6 and the end ones oblique to itscircumference, so as to form longitudinal braces.

Around the periphery of the central drum 6 can be placed ribs or vanesll, as seen in Figs. XIV and XV, that tend to retain the material on.the drum 6 as it falls from the interior of the main cylinder or fromthe annular chamber I3 between this drum and the main shell 2. Thesevanes Il can be of any number and may be applied on the last sectiononly, on the end and middle sections, or over the whole length, ifrequired. This, as in the case of longitudinal movement of the material,depends upon its viscosity and the amount of asphaltum it contains, andI do not limit myself to a particular number or arrangement of thesevanes 1I.

Around the interior of the main drum 2 are spiral vanes l2,preferabl ycontin uous, as seen in Figs. I and II, so that the material when itenters the annular chamber 13 from the chutes 25 will be gradually movedforward to the lower or discharge end of the melter and be thrust out atl5 by an expelling-screw 16. (Seen enlarged in Fig. V.) This sealedjoint, it will be seen, is a result of the material being imperviouswhen reduced to a semiliqnid or plastic state, so as to be sent throughacurved pipe or trap 54, thus forming a perfect and impervious sealagainst vapor, gas, or any volatile substance.

Besides the spiral vanes l2 on the interior of the cylinder or drum 2there are parallel bars 17, Fig. II, set longitudinally between theconvolutions of the vanes l2, acting as buckets to lift the material andcause it to fall on the central drum 6.

Around the periphery of the main drum 2 are bearing-rollers19,-preferably three in number, that, in conjunction with a portableroller 20, are used When the main drum 2 is to be removed or replaced inthe outer casing I. The roller 20, Figs. I, XII, and XIII, is mounted ina frame 2l, that can be inserted through the manhole 22 in the rear head23 of the casing l, and a manhole 24 is provided at the bottom of theouter shell or casing 1, through which the rollers 19 can be inserted orremoved or through which can be passed a portable roller 20, if that ispreferable.

The operation is as follows: The material falls from the crushing anddisintegrating apparatus through the chute 25 on the inclined face 25and then passes down the chute 27'into an annular space 13. As, however,the material is of a viscous or gummy nature at this point and wouldlodge in the tapered portion of the chute 25, I provide a steamheatingjacket 2S at the lower side of the ICO chute, so the material resting onthe face 26 will be partially melted and slide olf into the chute 27.The material after entering the annular chamber 13 is gradually movedforward toward the outer or discharge end by means of the helicalvanes-12 and by the inclination of the structure, as seen in Fig. XVI,is raised continually from the bottom by the bars 17, Fig. II, and fallson the central drum 6, and from this back again to the outer facebetween the vanes 12, and is thereby heated and agitated until in asemiliquid or plastic state. The rate at which the material passes fromthe receiving to the discharging end of these melting cylinders or takennp by running-collars or sustained by the rollers 30, Fig. III. Itherefore provide a thrust bearing or bearings consisting of a roller3l, mounted on a strong stud 32, that lits into the socket 33, supportedin the frame or nipple 34. The bearing-ring 3 rests against the roller3l, as seen in the enlarged section, Fig'XIX, and also in Fig. XX, whichshows the housing and manner of supportingthe socket 33. This roller 3l,having a slow motion in the socket or bearing 33, is well protected fromsand or grit and will withstand the longitudinal thrust of the maincylinder 2 and the central drum 6 and the material in the chamber 13with other weights of the rotary parts.

Referring to Fig. III, the revolving parts are driven by a tooth-pinion14 on a shaft 29, that extends through and is supported by a housing 36,attached to the outer shell 1, the pinion 14 meshing into the annularwheel or rack 4 on the steam-jacket shell of the main drum 2.

The rollers 30, on which rest the bearingrings 3, are set in a housing37, one at each side, and are made adjustable by means of packing 38 orin any other suitable manner to compensate for wear. A pipe 39 isprovided for oiling the bearings of the rollers 30, and a lifting-screw40 is provided inthe housing 37 by means of which the main cylinder 2can be raised clear of the bearing-rollers 30 for adjustment orinsertion of the truck-rollers 19.

Referring again to the pipes S for conveying steam from the drum 6 tothe steam-jacket 5 and to the pipes 9 for conducting the condensed waterback from the steam-jacket 5 to the drum 6, the latter connect from thecenter of the drum 6, as seen at 44 in Fig. IV, and are protected in thechamber 13 by brackets 41, that prevent injury or displacement byfalling of the material against the pipes 9.

To collect the water in the steam-space 5 and deliverit to the pipes 9,I provide diagonal diaphragms 45, as seen in Figs. XVII and XVIII, thepipes 9 communicating with the apex of the triangular pockets 58, formedby the diaphragms 45, which raise the water that collects in the bottomof the steam-jacket, so

A it well enter and flow through the pipes 9 into the center of thecentral drum 6 and be discharged above the water-level 59, maintained bv the draining-pipe 60.

I will now proceed to describe the method of discharging the materialafter its treatment in the melting apparatus. This would be a simplematter to accomplish if the material could bedischarged into the openair, but this is not the case. The subsequent processes of mixing,extracting, and so on are conducted in sealed vessels and underpressure, so the discharge-way from the melting apparatus has to besealed and the material moved by mechanism, as shown in Figs. V to X ofthe drawings, the chamber 6l in Fig.' VI corresponding to the chamber oflike reference in Fig. I, but from the reverse side.

46 in Fig. VI representsa portion of a mixing apparatus, (not includedin my present application), and corresponding to the details shown at Cin the diagram Fig. I of the drawings in my application for LettersPatent on crushing and disintegrating apparatus for extracting andrefining asphaltum, hereinbefore named.

At the end 23 of the melting apparatus, hereinbefore described, is adischarge-spout 15 from the chamber 61, leading to a cylinder 47, inwhich is placed a revolving screw 16, mounted on and driven by a shaft49, that receives motion from a gear-wheel 50, or in any other suitablemanner. The cylinder 47 has a renewable lining 48, provided because ofthe rapid abrasive wear at this point, and is separable into two parts,as seen in Fig. VIII, so that one side or both can be moved laterally togive access to the screw 16. This latter is also subject to rapid wearand to facilitate removal is made in two parts or sections, one of whichis shown is Figs. IX and X. A space 51 is left at the bottom of thecylinder 47, so these sections 52 53 of the screw 16 can one at a timebe placed on the shaft 49. From this cylinder 47 the melted materialenters the curved pipe 54 and, being forced therethrough by the screw16, is discharged at 55' into the cylinder 46.

The constructive details for connecting the pipe 54 to the vessel 46 andforming a sealed joint between that vessel and the melting apparatus arenot described here, because these will form in part the subject-matterof a separate application for Letters Patent.

To keep the melted material in a soft or plastic state as it passesthrough the curved pipe 54, I provide a steam jacket or space 56, thatembraces the pipe 54, except a small portion at 57, omitted toaccommodate a fastening in the vessel 46, not included in thisapplication.

Having thus described the nature and object of my invention and asuitable method of constructing and applying the same, what I claim asnew, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a stationarycasing, a revoluble main cylinder therein, with means for heating theexterior of said cylinder, a central concentric hollow core or drumfixed within said cylinder and revolving therewith, with means forheating said drum, and means for introducing and removing the materialto be treated within the annular chamber included between said cylinderand drum,substantially as specified.

2. In an asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a stationarycasing, a revoluble main cylinder within said casin g, steam-jacketed asto its exterior, a central concentric hollow core or drum fixed withinsaid cylinder and revolving therewith, means for introducing steamwithin said drum and said steamj acket,helical vanes within the annularchamber between said main cylinder and said central drum, and means forintroducing and removing the material to be treated Within the saidannular chamber, substantially as speciiied.

IOO

IIO

3. In an asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a stationarycasing, a revoluble main cylinder therein, having a central hollowrcore, forming an annular chamber between the said inner core and theouter wall of the cylinder, means for heating said annular chamberthrough its inner and outer walls, helical vanes within said annularchamber, longitudinal lifting-plates between said helical vanes, andmeans for introducing and removing the material to be treated withinsaid annular chamber, substantially as specified.

4. In an asphaltum extracting and rening apparatus, a stationary casing,a revoluble main cylinder therein, steam-jacketed as to itsexterior,havin g a central hollow core, forming an annular chamberbetween said inner core and the outer .Wall of the cylinder, pipeconnections for introducing steam into said inner core and outer jacketand for withdrawing water of condensation therefrom, helical vaneswithin said annular chamber, and means for introducing and removing thematerial to be treated within said annular chamber, substantially asspecified.

5. In an asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a stationarycasing, an annular melting-chamber therein, mounted revolubly upon anaxis, means for heating said annular chamber through both its convex andits concave walls, helical vanes within said annular chamber, means forintroducing the material to be treated, and a curved trap-outlet fordischarging said material, with means for expelling the same through thetrap, substantially as specified.

6. In asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus a revoluble mainvessel or cylinder having a steam-jacket around its exterior, alongitudinal heating-drum set central therein and attached thereto,diaphragme forming pockets in the steam-jacket around the main cylinderby which water is raised from the bottom of the steam-jacket space anddischarged through pipes leading from these pockets to the centralheating-drum, all arranged substantially as described.

7. In an asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a steam-jacketedannular meltingchamber mounted revolubly upon an axis, a steam-heatedhollow core therefor, a stationary outer casing, helical vanes withinsaid annular chamber, means for introducing the material to be treated,a curved steam-jacketed-trap exit-pipe, and a rotative screw forimpelling the softened material through the trap, substantially asspecified.

S. In an asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a steam-jacketedannular meltingchamber mounted revolubly upon an axis, a steam-heatedcore therefor,helical vanes within the annular chamber, means forintroducing and withdrawing the material from the said chamber, rotarysupports for said revoluble chamber, gearing for rotating the saidchamber, and a stationary casing, surrounding and inclosing therevoluble chamber, its

rotary supports, and its actuating-gears, substantially as specified.

9. In asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a cylindrical meltingvessel provided with steam-heatin g devices, an outerinclosing shell orcasing, communicating therewith, a discharge-way and a propeller-screwto force the lplastic melted material therethrough, the screw inclosedin a separable cylinder, made in sections and insertible withoutremoving the shaft on which the screw is mounted, substantially asdescribed.

l0. In asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, an vinclinedrevoluble jacketed main vessel or cylinder having means to move thematerial longitudinally therethrough, a centrally-fixed heating-drumtherein, steam connections between the central drum and steam-jacket ofthe main drum at one end, and water connections between the waterjacketand central drum at the other end, permitting steam circulation throughthe central drum and the steam-jacket, in the manner substantially asspecified.

Il. In asphaltum extracting and Vrefining apparatus,'a revoluble maincylinder having a steam-jacketed exterior and a central heatingsteam-drum revoluble therewith, pipes communicating from the centralheatingdrum to the steam-jacket, and pipes leading from the steam-jacketto the central steamdrum to return condensed water to the latter,

apparatus, the combination of a stationary,

casing or shell, and an interior revoluble main vessel or cylinderhaving a steam-jacket around its exterior, and a longitudinalheating-drum set central therein and attached IOO thereto, means foradmitting steam to the I IIO

